Strong frameworks aren’t enough.
If the EU stays on its current path, democracy won’t be destroyed from the outside — it will crumble from within.

Read our analysis here: www.liberties.eu/en/stories/e...

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The EU keeps expanding its toolbox, but without real enforcement and political will, nothing changes.

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These trends were highlighted in Liberties’ 2025 Rule of Law Report — and they’re only deepening.

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Civic space is shrinking

Despite audits confirming NGO funding is lawful and aligned with EU goals, some MEPs are targeting civil society.
70% of organisations say conditions at EU level are getting worse.
Yet a key protection mechanism was pushed back.

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EU lawmaking is being hollowed out

Impact assessments are routinely skipped.
“Exceptional” procedures are becoming normal.
Six Omnibus packages in 2025 alone — with minimal consultation.
Participatory lawmaking is turning into a promise, not a practice.

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Rule of law backsliding

EU recommendations to countries like #Hungary, #Slovakia, and #Italy repeat every year with almost zero follow-up.
Article 7 has been stuck since 2018.
People expect accountability — delay only erodes trust.

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👉 Read more: Here’s what Liberties previously proposed to be included in the strategy. www.liberties.eu/f/amspsy

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...courage means:

"To keep going — despite all the pressure and challenges.

To defend everyone’s rights — even those who question our very existence.

And finally: to have the courage to grow and innovate. Without it, civil society organizations quickly risk becoming irrelevant."

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📘 Read the full Liberties’ Gap Analysis 2025:
👉 link.liberties.eu/f190b0

#RuleOfLaw #EU #Democracy #CivilSociety #EUCommission #MediaFreedom

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💡 The Way Forward
To restore trust and impact, the EU should:

- Make recommendations targeted & time-bound
- Improve transparency & follow-up
- Link rule of law to EU funding
- Engage civil society in monitoring

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⚠️ Why It Matters
When non-implementation becomes normal — even in “non-backsliding” countries — the credibility of the entire rule of law process is at risk.

Without accountability, the annual cycle risks becoming symbolic.

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Key Finding 5: Hungary & Other Systemic Dismantlers
🇭🇺 Hungary tops the list for “no progress,” showing deep resistance to EU oversight.

But stagnation is also visible in 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇮🇪 Ireland & 🇩🇪 Germany.

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Key Finding 4: Persistent Inaction
About 1/3 of Member States show little or no progress since 2022.

Countries with 5–8 unimplemented recommendations:
🇧🇬 🇩🇪 🇭🇺 🇮🇪 🇮🇹 🇲🇹 🇵🇱 🇷🇴 🇸🇰

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Key Finding 3: Declining Implementation
The share of fully implemented recommendations fell from 11% in 2023 → 6% in 2024 & 2025.

Only 9 were fully implemented — mostly in 🇸🇮 Slovenia and 🇨🇿 Czechia.

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Key Finding 2: Few New Recommendations
Only 9 new recommendations in 2025 — just 7% of the total — covering 8 Member States.

➡️ Example: Slovakia passed a restrictive NGO law in 2025, yet no new recommendation was issued.

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